Curtain-stretcher.



J. RUETTEN.

CURTAIN SIRETCHER. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. I I, 1914.

Patented Apr. 18, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1- THE COLUMBIA FLANOGRAPH CO-. WASHINGTON, D. c

J. RUETTEN.

CURTAIN STRETCHER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 1 I. 1914.

v 6 w m2 M ,H u mm W n4 m u m E P mm NW? V l s H JOSEPH RUETTEN, OF DENVER, PENNSYLVANIA.

CURTAIN-STRE'ICHER.

Application filed. September 11, 1914.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOSEPH RUETTEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Denver, in the county of Lancaster and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Curtain- Stretchers, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to curtain stretchers, and more particularly to the class of foldable and extensible curtain stretchers.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a curtain stretcher wherein the same can be readily contracted or extended to vary the size thereof so as to accommodate different sizes of curtains for the stretching thereof when hung upon the same.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a stretcher of this character wherein the parts thereof are connected together in a novel manner so that the same can be readily folded into compact form when not in use to permit it to be stored in the least possible space.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a curtain stretcher wherein the pins or holding devices for the curtain when hung thereon are concealed, and also the same will be guarded to prevent injury therefrom should a person contact with the stretcher.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a stretcher of this character wherein the frame is of novel form so that the adjustment thereof to vary the size of the same can be accomplished in a ready and convenient manner.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a curtain stretcher which is simple in construction,strong, yet light in weight, reliable and efficient in its purpose, and inexpensive in manufacture.

With these and other objects in view, the

1 invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings :-Figure 1 is a front elevation of a curtain stretcher constructed in accordance with the invention and set up for use. Fig. 2 is a side view thereof. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation showing the stretcher folded. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a detail rear Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 13, 12115.

Serial No. 861,238.

elevation. showing the method of connecting the pivoted upper frame bar with the side bar. Fig. 6 is a transverse section on the line 66 of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a detail horizontal section on the line 77 of Fig. 1.

Similar reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views in the drawings.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the curtain stretcher comprises a foldable and extensible frame A, including spaced parallel side bars or rails 910 and two-part extensible longitudinal bars or rails 11 and 12. The bar 11 is connected with the bar by means of a block 13 secured to said bar 10 and having a hinge 14 mounted. thereon, said hinge being also connected with the bar 11 to permit swinging movement thereof. A hinge 15 is secured to the bars 9 and 12, to permit swinging movement of the latter. The bars 11 and 12 thus swing in reverse directions, when folding the frame.

In order that the bar 11 may be adjusted vertically slots 1617 are formed in the bars 9-10 respectively. Also formed on one end of the bar 11 at the rear side thereof is a plate 18, provided with a notch 19 for the reception of the head 20 of a bolt 21, said bolt passing through the slot 16 of the bar 9 and being provided with a winged nut 22 for holding one end of the bar 11 in an adjusted position. The block 13 is formed with an extension 23 which fits within a recess 24; on the rear face of the bar 10. A bolt 25 is secured to the extension 23 and passes through the slot 17 in the bar 10, being provided with a winged nut 26 which .maintains the opposite end of bar 11 in position.

The rail 12 is also provided with a plate 27 formed with a recess 28 adapted to be received within the head 29 of a bolt 30, said bolt extends through the bar 10 and a winged nut 31 is threaded thereon, bearing against the bar 10, to hold the plate 27 of the bar 12 in locked frictional contact with the rail 10, preventing the disengagement of plate 27 from the head 29 of the bolt 30.

The bars 11 and 12 are preferably formed of two parts, which are slidably united through the medium of tongues 31 fitting within dovetailed grooves 32, so that the two parts of each bar may be extended or shortened.

From the above description it will be seen that the frame A may be adjusted either vertically or horizontally to conform to the dimensions of various sized curtains.

Pivoted to the side bars or rails 9-10 of the frame are the limbs or arms 33 of lazy tongs, the other limbs or arms 34 thereof being fitted with bolt members 35 which are passed through the slots 16 and 17 in the side rails 9 and 10 and carry winged nuts 36 for the fastening of the bolts in adjusted position. In this manner the lazy tongs can be extended or shortened and fastened in such position as to hold the frame folded or extended in varying sizes for use.

Pivotally connected to the side rails or bars 9 and 10 are swinging props 37 to which are connected and also to the side rails or bars 9 and 10 break jointed braces 88. These props serve to support the frame when the same is set up for use.

Mounted at intervals on one face of the rails or bars 9 and 10 contiguous to the inner edges thereof,'are pins or needles 39 for engagement with the edges of the curtain to be stretched. Also hinged to the side rails 9 and 10, and adapted to cover the points of v the needles 39 are outwardly arched guard members 40, which protect the needles, yet permit the engagement of the curtain therewith. The longitudinally extending rails or bars 11 and 12 are also provided with similar pins or needles 41, covered or protected by means of two-part outwardly bowed guards 42. This construction is necessary to accommodate the different adjustments of the bars 11 and 12.

On the side bar 9 is an eye member 43, adapted to engage a hook member 44 on the side rail "10 when the curtain stretcher is folded, to fasten the frame in collapsed position.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. it is thought that the construction and manner of use of the device will be clearly understood, and therefore a more extended explanation has been omitted.

In order that various detail changes ma be made as practice may develop, I do not desire to be limited to the exact construction illustrated inthe accompanying drawings,

' Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the though such changes, will, of course, be within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

VVhat is claimed is 1. In a curtain stretcher, a foldable and extensible frame including sectional adj ustable telescopic longitudinal rails and spaced parallel side rails, a hinge swingingly connecting one end of one of the longitudinal rails to one side rail, a block slidably connected to the other side rail, a hinge swingingly connecting one of the other longitudinal rails to the said block, means for slidably connecting the other end of the lastnamed longitudinal rail to the other side rail, means for detachably connecting the other end of the first-named longitudinal rai to the side rail carrying the block, and a lazy tongs having a pair of its outermost levers pivoted to the side rails and another pair of the outermost levers slidably connected with said side rails.

2. In a curtain stretcher, a foldable and extensible frame including sectional adjustable telescopic longitudinal rails and spaced parallel side rails, a hinge swingingly connecting one end of one of the longitudinal rails to one side rail, a block slidably connected to the other side rail, a hinge swingingly connecting one of the other longitudinal rails to the said block, means for slidably connecting the other end of the last named longitudinal rail to the other side rail, means for detachably connecting the other end of the first-named longitudinal rail to the side rail carrying the block, a lazy tongs having a pair of its outermost levers pivoted to the side rails and another pair of the outermost levers slidably connected with said side rails, pins mounted on the longitudinal and side rails, and swinging sectional telescopic guards carried by the longitudinal and side rails for concealing said pins.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH RUETTEN.

Witnesses JOSEPH MATT, SILAs E. BARD.

Commissioner of I'atents,

Washington, D. O. 

